#I took the photo of the sky yesterday

[03-17]

[imaginariumgeographica]

Early blooms

[reestallized]

Yes that's how funny the image was to me

[upperranktwo]

I have loads of photos on my SD card dating from yesterday to 2 months ago and I think tomorrow I'm gonna go through them and maybe edit some 😭 I really need to wipe that card for my camera

[hedgehog-moss]

I meant to go admire a frozen waterfall yesterday, but I'm scared of driving on slippery roads so I ended up abandoning my car and my dreams and just wandering about by foot, following random roads.

(These first two photos are a little bit blurry because I took them while walking, but it does give them a certain je ne sais quoi... They look like childhood memories)

The soles of my boots had zero grip and were therefore great for sliding, so I ended up taking two sticks and using them like cross-country skiing poles to propel myself forward on the iciest portions of the road. It was fun! Pandolf thought I was insane. He was being extremely prudent on the icy patches, testing each step:

At the beginning of our walk he was prancing as usual but then at one point his front paws slipped forward without warning, turning him into a very long slinky dog. It was pretty funny. I laughed. I admit. He wasn't hurt but definitely a bit vexed.

We did leave the icy road on numerous occasions, to slip under fences and cross promising pastures (promising = lots of footprints; potential friends.) We met several creatures! Like this adorable shetland pony—I tried to take a photo from afar, with Pandolf nearby for scale, to show how scandalously tiny he was, but that turned out to be impossible because he was too friendly. Every time I took a step back he took two steps forward. Clearly he thought he was even better-looking from up close.

We also ran into the darling goat I mentioned yesterday, and I was told by several people on here that she looked more like a ewe.

Sorry for the mistake! But also I tried to look further into this and became more and more confused, as every source that mentioned a foolproof way to tell goats from sheep was disproven by another source—I found one that said sheep had a split upper lip while goats didn't (and my mystery friend didn't), but then another website contradicted it. I ended up with 32 tabs open with photos of goats and sheep of all kinds, some of which looked downright bizarre (what's with the Jar Jar Binks ears), and I began losing my grasp on the concept of animal species altogether. I understood how Darwin must have felt when he tried to figure out the differences between species of barnacles and asked people to send him various specimens and ended up with giant teetering piles of wet smelly boxes full of barnacles in his study that threatened to collapse and bury him alive. Then I closed my 32 tabs.

Honestly ever since learning that some sheep have horns and some goats don't, I've been lost. Not to mention, our mystery girl had a sheep-like tail but a goat-like beard. Are there sheep out there with beards and if yes, how do we make sense of the world? We should be able to point at a mammal with a goatee and say "goat" without doubting ourselves. That's my manifesto.

Whatever she was, the goat-ewe was very sweet, and she baa-ed a lot—at first I thought she was making conversation and I politely baa-ed back, before realising she was calling her horse bodyguards, just in case. Two horses soon showed up from behind a tree, very "What seems to be the problem ma'am?"

I offered nose scritches to the friendliest of the two and she went to report to the goat like "We've neutralised the threat."

Let me insert another (blurry) photo of a travelling Pandolf to symbolise the passing of time before moving on to our last encounter:

... I also had trouble taking photos of this one at first, because she kept coming closer to inspect my scarf—I thought she wanted to explore my pockets for potential treats like Pirlouit often does but no, she was very interested in the smell (texture?) of my scarf specifically.

The sky had cleared as we went down from 1300 to 1100m, as if we'd slipped under the clouds, so I tried to take a photo of this nice late-afternoon sky, and the horse finally stopped focusing on my scarf and instead started insistently positioning herself between me and my beautiful landscape.

Look at this lovely golden light in the snow over there which I was almost able to capture!

Meanwhile her pasture mate was eating a whole broom plant, slowly and thoughtfully, which makes me jealous because my llamas are supposed to eat brooms and they mostly don't, they think they're too good for brooms. They eat the very young ones but not adult brooms, so I have to do the work of three llamas and cut them myself. I wish I could send the Pampses as interns in this pasture, to learn the art of brush-clearing from this wise old horse.

I tried to take one last landscape photo and gave up when the aspiring model came to pose again.

Where was Pandolf, you might ask? Pandolf doesn't trust horses, especially large farm horses, and was quietly and insistently trying to convince me to leave. When Model Horse tried to greet him (it looks like she's chasing him but no, she was just stretching her neck to sniff him) he beat a hasty retreat toward the icy road, his former enemy. Some guard dog.

It may sound like Pandolf didn't have a very fun time on this walk, slipping on ice and running from horses, but don't worry, he found plenty of suitable empty pastures to practise his favourite hobby! Though I think at this point he has moved beyond a hobbyist and is ready to play in professional leagues. He does this thing now where he jumps up a bit to gain momentum; I don't remember him doing this last winter. He's an entirely self-taught dog (in the art of snow diving) and I'm proud of him.

[schoenpepper]

All Sorts of Love

Intro: Kalim hasn't felt this kind of love before.

Warnings: bad writing, awful grammar, proofread by quillbot, yandere, one google translated arab word

A/N: For that one anon I hope you like this because I have spiralled into "what kind of yandere would Kalim be" and boyyyy I tried. I don't like the ending too much though. But honestly I feel like even if he was yandere he'd still turn to Jamil, right? They're like overly codependent. Also had way too much fun with the colors.

Masterlist

Kalim knows what love is.

Growing up, he'd been surrounded by a lot—maybe too much of it. From his parents to his siblings, he was spoiled, adored, and loved. He used all that love and poured it into himself like a valve, letting it flow right back to the world from within his body. He loves the sun, the sky, and his family; he loves his friends, the sea, and the wind as it ruffles his hair when he's on a magic carpet ride. He loves you.

Because you're his friend too.

He looks at the page in his notebook. One hour into Trein's lecture, and it's void of actual notes—only your name, little chibi doodles of you, and little hearts surrounding everything. He thinks you're so cute. He's glad that you two are friends and that you're so close with him. He has lots of friends, but you're different. Because you're best friends, like Jamil!

(Jamil denies it sometimes, but he doesn't mind. Jamil is still the closest person to him, even after the whole inky disaster.)

The bell rings, and he sweeps everything from his desk right into his bag. Jamil has basketball practice today, so hey, maybe he can hang out with you! You like hanging out with him, right? A happy tune is on his lips as he walks out of the classroom, his feet leading him towards the first years' classes. Your dismissal for this class was about thirty minutes later than his own, so he sits down on a bench and sways his feet, waiting patiently.

(He memorized your schedule so you guys can hang out more!)

He can't do much while waiting, except for playing on his phone. He sees a picture you'd posted on Magicam yesterday and clicks the like button—it's of the two of you, so he comments with a 'WE LOOK SO GOOODDDD' and saves the image, using it as his screen wallpaper. The background was the amusement park he'd begged you to go to with him, cotton candy swirls in your hands as you stood together with happy smiles. Jamil took the photo, which is great! Because for some reason, even though the two of you are his best friends, he doesn't like the thought of Jamil standing next to you or doing as he did in the picture and feeding you a piece of his cotton candy. Just thinking about it made him upset. He doesn't like feeling upset, so he doesn't want to think about it anymore.

The bell rings, and the freshmen pour out of their classrooms like a swarm of insects. Several Scarabia first-year students greet him, and he smiles in turn, while his ruby-red eyes scan the crowd for your figure.

Too short, too tall, wrong hair color, wrong hair texture—ah!

It's you.

"Y/N!" Kalim all but runs over to you with the widest smile on his face, almost bowling you over to the ground with his hug.

"Kalim!" You smile back just as happily, ignoring Grim, who'd fallen to the ground from your shoulder. Kalim beams brighter when he feels your arms wrap back around him, and he stays still until Ace speaks up.

"Uh, are you guys gonna keep hugging, or can we get going?"

"Right! Y/N, come with me, okay? I wanna show you something." He knows you'll fall for his wide, pleading eyes when he asks the question. As expected, you only nod and follow him, leaving Grim with the two Heartslabyul boys with promises of tuna when you pick him up later.

Kalim holds your hand the whole time as he pulls you back to Scarabia. He listens to how your day went with all 110% of his attention span, letting you finish your story before opening the storage room door. "Huh? What are we doing here, Kalim?" He giggles and runs with you over to one corner. He doesn't like that he has to let go of your hand, but he dives headfirst into the mountain of gold to try and find the thing he's looking for. He pulls a small box out of the pile and collapses to the floor, out of breath. "Uh, are you okay?" You ask, barely holding back your laughter.

"I'm okay!"

He loves seeing you laugh. He thinks you shouldn't hide it.

"So what did you want to show me?"

He stands back up and opens the box. Inside is a gold bracelet with little heart-shaped rubies, the same color as his eyes. "This! I just remembered that my parents sent it with me when I got into NRC. It was my jida's. Do you like it?"

You smile and admire the bracelet.

But you never touch it.

"It's gorgeous, Kalim."

"Great!" He fumbles a little bit as he takes it out of the box, gesturing for your hand. "I'll put it on for you!"

"What? No, I can't accept that, Kalim."

"Please! They told me to give it to an important person, and you're very important to me," he insists. You look at him hesitantly, but still refuse. "That's different, I don't think they mean that kind of important, Kalim."

"Y/N...am I not important to you?"

Finally, finally, you waver and fold. You let him put the bracelet on you. He can't help himself; he intertwines your fingers with his own as he admires the way it sits on your wrist. He can almost imagine the way his own grandmother had worn it in the past. She must've looked beautiful, but he thinks no one could ever compare to you. You two sit down on some random carpet in the store room as he continues to appreciate how it shines on your skin, his thumb subconsciously rubbing circles on your hand. When he looks back at your face to say something, he freezes for a few seconds. 

You're looking at him so...adoringly.

Eyes soft and sweet, like honey is swirling within your irises. Your lips are slightly parted, as if you're hesitating to say something, and your grip on his hand is tightening. He watches you take a deep breath and speak.

"Kalim," you say his name like it's nothing he's ever heard before. "I like you, as more than a friend. No, Kalim, I love you."

And for once, he doesn't know how to respond to this love.

For all the love given to him by his parents, his ancestors, his siblings, his cousins, his human friends, his animal friends—none of it had prepared him to be loved by you, no, not like this. He loves you. But... as a friend.

Right.

Because loving you like that, what would it mean? Would it let you spend more time together or less? Would you smile at him or fight with him more? What does that kind of love entail?

He likes your friendship.

So, "Can't we just stay friends?"

He sees your heart crack from the way you look at him, how you pull away, and how you immediately unclasp the bracelet and put it back in his hands. There are tears streaming down your face and leaving trails down your cheeks as you speak, and your voice is so shaky that he feels so bad for what he said. But he can't take it back. "Okay, I'm, I'm so sorry." You stammer out through choked sobs as you stand up and start to walk away.

"Hey, Y/N!" He tries to go after you, but you break out into a full run before he can do anything.

Maybe he should leave you alone for a while. With all the thoughts in his mind that he can't make sense of at the moment, maybe he needs that alone time just as much as you do.

He sighs.

First Jamil, now you.

(Since when has friendship been so hard?)

The 'alone time' takes at least three days.

By the fourth day, Kalim is ready to be your friend again. He can't handle the awkward glances or seeing your teary eyes just the day after the incident, but he can't leave you forever! You're his best friend, and he wouldn't lose you over this. He'd thought that after giving you some space, you would bounce right back and maybe go on a magic carpet ride with him again.

So...why are you still avoiding him...?

He'd lost sleep over the past three days, lost focus. Jamil had been on his tail about homework and projects. But he's so distracted. Where are you? What are you doing? Are you okay now?

Do you still love him?

He walks over to your cafeteria table, where you're seated with your friends. "Y/N!" He's blocked by a very angry Grim, hissing and all fur standing on end. He's so confused when Ace and Deuce try to get him to leave, when Epel is glaring at him, when Jack is hiding you behind his muscled figure, when Ortho is just quietly scanning him, a strange red laser pointing to his forehead, or when Sebek is yelling at him that you don't want him around.

Do you really...not want him around?

He's pulled away by Jamil when Ortho's eyes start glowing red.

Why are you avoiding him why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why

He doesn't like it when you avoid him.

Don't avoid him, please.

You're taking longer, more inconvenient routes, if only to steer clear of the path he takes. Your friends guard around you in the cafeteria, and days turn to weeks, and Kalim is...okay.

He's okay.

(Jamil finds him sobbing in his sheets in the middle of the night, crying out your name.)

He's okay when he sees you gradually brightening up again. He's okay when he finds you're slowly talking to him again, but not treating him like a friend. He's super okay and totally fine when he sees you spending more and more of your time with Deuce alone, just the two of you. And he's great when he notices the boy's blushing, awkward movements, similar to what you used to do in Kalim's presence.

Come back to him please Y/N please please please come back why won't you come back he's your best friend right why won't you come back Y/N Y/N Y/N Y/N

"Do you like Y/N?"

Kalim's feet are swinging off the edge of the balcony as he leans back on his arms. His gaze stays on the fountain in the middle of the dormitory, clearly lost in thought, before being brought back by Jamil's question. He doesn't need to think twice about his answer. "Of course! They're my best friend too, so it's a little upsetting that they're not hanging out with me anymore."

"No." Jamil rolls his eyes. "More than a friend."

"I don't think so."

"Really?"

Kalim nods.

(It's okay that he wants to be your best friend, your only friend, right?)

"Kalim, let's get this straight, okay? I don't want to see you sulking anymore. You're in love with Y/N." Jamil puts both hands on Kalim's shoulders, stooping a little lower to look him in the eye. "Do you want to be with Y/N all the time? Do you want to touch them? Kiss them, maybe? Do you feel annoyed when you see them with other people? Do you hate the thought of a future without them by your side, like you can't even stand it? Kalim, yes or no, are you in love with Y/N?"

Kalim feels like he's just been dunked in a vat of ice water.

"I love them that way?" he asks softly.

Jamil shakes him lightly. "Imagine you saw Deuce kissing the—"

Oh. Okay. So he loves you after all.

"Kalim!"

He never even noticed the heavy rain that suddenly started after Jamil said those words. It's his magic; he can feel it, but Oasis Maker is out of his control, and he doesn't feel like stopping it. "Sorry Jamil, I just, I can't imagine it." He's crying, why is he crying? Is it because he hates the thought so much that it makes him want to—

You wouldn't kiss Deuce no no you wouldn't you wouldn't why would you kiss him do you like him does he like you have you moved on do you not love Kalim anymore please love love love love love why would you do that don't abandon him he loves you too so please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please

"Jamil?" Kalim holds onto his retainer's wrists. "Do you think...Y/N still loves me?"

"I don't know, Kalim."

"If they don't love me anymore," Kalim smiles, it's a little desperate, but mostly, it's pained. The corners of his lips twitch as his grip on Jamil's wrists tightens. "Will you help them remember how much they love me?”

[silence-burns]

Just A Prank

Fandom: Fast and Furious

It'd been a while since Han had a chance to meet with so many familiar faces. With the sun high in the sky, and the smell of barbecue in the air, it was almost possible to enjoy it all.

He tried his best to ignore all the photos being taken of him by Tej and Roman enjoying themselves a little too much.

“You did hear me when I told you that I don't need all this?” Han asked, even though he already knew the answer.

“Shhh, let the geniuses work. You're coming back to life in style!”

“Your silly dating app is no magical tool.”

“Oh no, no, pretty boy, the magicians are all in there, trust me,” Roman chuckled, not looking up from Han’s phone.

The day was too nice to stain it with pointless arguments, so Han turned back to his beer. His drink was slowly becoming lukewarm, both the sun and his warm palm working to heat it up.

He smiled to himself when he noticed Dom and Letty arrive in the driveway. Their boy was already running halfway through the yard. Han could've sworn it was only yesterday when he was taking his first steps. He made a mental note to visit the area more often. He had many reasons to.

“And what might this be? The lone wolf, drinking himself unconscious before the main course even arrives at the table? That's not a good look on you, Han.”

He glanced up at you and the beer froze halfway to his lips. You’d managed to sneak up on him, but no matter how many times it happened, his heart always skipped a few beats.

“I'm glad that being fashionably late is always a good look on you, then,” he replied through a tight throat, wondering whether you could hear the sudden rasp in his voice.

“How sweet. Good to know that one thing hasn’t changed.”

The smile you offered him blinded him more than the sun behind your back, but before his brain unfroze, Roman popped up right next to him, pushing the phone into Han’s hand.

“60 seconds on the app and look how successful you already are! The more the merrier, but I'd still suggest looking through this part in their profiles, just in case—...”

The rest drifted from Han's mind the moment he noticed your eyes looking down on his screen. There weren't any obvious changes on your face, but he saw the tension in your shoulders.

“Have fun,” was the only thing you said before you walked away from his spot to greet the rest of the ever growing family. Many voices overlapped, but he still only could hear yours.

Roman was already gone, unaware of what had transpired. He drifted off to the barbecue, acquiring a plate and a fork from somewhere Han couldn’t see.

Han put his beer down. He’d lost interest in it, and conceded the fight for its temperature to the sun.

The day wasn't supposed to go like this. It'd been a while since he last saw you. The time away had only made him miss the missions when the two of you paired up together more. Even if nothing ever happened, he could feel the invisible pull, as if gravity itself wanted to push him closer to you.

Getting it out of his head was a difficult task, and it only felt worse the closer he was to you.

Hours passed, and even though Han enjoyed the party and catching up with everyone, one thought at the back of his head wouldn't let him relax. He'd already turned his phone off, because dealing with the constant meaningless notifications was beyond his patience, but the harm had already been done. He could feel it in the way you made sure to be busy when Han approached, and how the only times you looked in his direction were during polite but group conversation that bounced from one topic to another.

It’d taken Han all of his self control not to run after you when he noticed you finally walking to the side, probably to lug a new crate of beer to the tables.

The evening sun was painting long shadows behind the house, but you still noticed Han following you.

“You can take the second one, if you're so eager to help.” You nodded to the side before walking past him.

Han took half a step to the left, blocking you ever so slightly.

“It was a misunderstanding,” he blurted quietly. He could've found better words to put everything back in place, but none came to him in the past few hours. “Roman was just being an ass. It's a very natural state to him.”

“I don't know what you're talking about. As far as I'm concerned, you are an adult capable of making your own choices. Have your fun, enjoy the world. That's what life is all about, right?”

The smile you presented him was just as wide as he remembered it, but it held no joy that used to pull him in like a moth to a flame.

“Life is more than shallow enjoyment. Especially when you bind yours together with another one.”

You snorted under your breath. The crate was not getting any lighter and your arms began to ache, so you put it down next to your feet. As much as you wanted to move on and get back to the party, it didn't look like you were getting a chance soon, unless you decided to walk directly through the blooming bushes next to the path.

“Han, we've been through this already. Just because we've—...”

“I was a fool for not making myself clear before, but I intend to fix it.” He took half a step closer without taking his eyes off you. “There is no reason for me to look at any of those strange apps Roman insisted on, because no one I actually want to find is in there. They are right in front of me and I have been too blind to see them.”

You blinked. He was still there, staring at you with a complicated mixture of hope and worry painted over his face. It was a strange sight coming from a person usually so composed, but a part of you was relieved to hear him.

“You could've just asked me to dinner.”

Han leaned down to effortlessly pick up the crate by your feet. “I could and I will. How about we start with a beer first?”

[sirfrogsworth]

When I woke up yesterday morning I saw out of the corner of my eye the sky looked different. It was just before sunrise and upon closer inspection I saw a glowing orange horizon with pink clouds above. It was 30 degrees but I was itching to take a photo and decided to try and capture this before the moment was lost.

The only problem was the best view of the horizon required trekking through several of my neighbor's backyards. The first photo was from my backyard. I took that just in case I couldn't get to my destination in time—as I am a very slow walker.

The second photo is the neighbor right behind me. I love the shape of that tree.

The third photo is an unmanaged section of a 3 acre property. I was not feeling sturdy walking through that. By this point the cold was already hurting my fingers and I was super out of breath. I wasn't sure if I should turn back or not.

And the 4th photo is where I knew I could see the horizon. But the orange glowy parts of the sky had diminished by the time I got there. I still think it is a cool shot and I'm glad I hiked my slow ass all the way there. I just wish I had arrived 20 minutes sooner.

When I finally got back inside my hands were pretty frozen and it took me a while to catch my breath. I collapsed on the couch and ended up sleeping for 12 hours. Hopefully that will be the worst of the consequences.

Art demands pain.

Or something.

[solitary-traveler]

Heya :)

Im not sure if you write angst but I was wondering if you could do Scara with a reader that puts others health in front of her own, so when she gets injured in battle she won't even notice because she'll be worrying about Scara and not herself. <3

Echoes of The Past

The wanderer is left behind, with regrets and diminished hope swirling through his thoughts

Wanderer x gn!reader

Notes: Hiiii thank you so much @i0fty, I'm so sorry it took this long to write it 😭. I hope this makes up for it. Again I'm really sorry🙏—

Also, the italicized texts are the things that he writes in his journal

Art: @waternaeng on danbooru

Warning: Angst :)

You died yesterday.

The wanderer recounted as he sat on the wooden stool. His fingers ran through his indigo locks, a few strands escaping his grasp and falling back down to frame his face. With a pencil between his porcelain fingers, he could only stare at the empty notebook in front of him.

My…beloved, my Y/n passed away yesterday after being so stupidly reckless.

He sighed, the pen twitching within his grip. The further he puts his thoughts into writing, the more the uncomfortable feeling grows. It still hurt; it always hurt to think of you. He garnered at the page, forcing himself to resume staining the paper with lead.

You always placed the health of others above your own, a fierce guardian even amidst the chaos of battle, where your sole focus was my safety. It was maddeningly foolish—I was no fragile mortal, impervious to death’s grasp. Yet you pressed on, undeterred. I watched as you brushed aside your injuries, treating them like insignificant shadows. Even in your final moments, it was that boundless selflessness—the unwavering devotion that burned brightly within you—that ultimately cost you everything. 

Wanderer gripped the pen tightly, almost snapping it in half.

Why did you have to be selfless?

Why did you have to die?

If I had been the one to notice your wounds, would you still be here? If I had been there to prioritize your safety, to shield you from the pain, would fate have been kinder to us?

He took a deep breath. This was supposed to be a relaxing activity, but somehow it just heightened his stress even more. His eyes darted outside the window, overlooking the bright lights of Sumeru city.

Not that it matters anymore. I can’t change the past. I know; I’ve tried.

In any case, the view from outside my window is as repetitive as always, the same flickering city lights twinkling like distant stars against the inky night. But I know you love it. You always had a strange fascination with city lights under the night sky. But I guess it is pretty. A strange beauty, one that whispers secrets of life and longing. I can somewhat understand why you found solace in its shimmering embrace.

He heaved, his shoulders slumped. They felt heavy as the burden of his loss creeped in once more. Embrace huh…Oh how he wished you were here, stubbornly hugging him from behind. He’d kill to live in that memory over and over again. To stay there forever, with the comfort he grew to miss. 

Sometimes I wonder… What exactly it is you like about me? I… I never saw myself as someone worthy of love, let alone someone capable of it. Like a marionette, I moved through life, cursed to feel without ever knowing how to truly grasp those emotions. Yet somehow, you saw through the tangled strings of my hypocrisy, unraveling the quiet ache of my need for affection, hidden deep within my hollow frame.

His eyes darted towards a photo, one you stubbornly pestered him with until he succumbed. It was during his first day at the Akademiya and you had dropped by to tease the fuck out of him. Imagine him, a war criminal, domesticated and sent to school. It was excessively embarrassing. You had the cheekiest grin plastered on your face, your infectious laughter ringing in his ears. Your left arm slung around his shoulder. It was all so infuriatingly endearing. Wanderer can’t help the subtle twitch on the corner of his lips.

You were always a mystery to me, an enigma I could never fully grasp.

I wonder, sometimes… why me? What did you see in me that made you want me? I am undesirable, like a rusted tool left forgotten in the rain—only acknowledged when needed, only useful when used.  Yet, you—  You saw worth in me, even when I was at my weakest, when the cracks began to show, and when my facade crumbled. You knelt beside me, gathering the scattered shards of who I was. You pieced them together, making me whole once more.

I had been an enemy, a blade once drawn against you, yet you saw me not as a threat, but as a friend broken by my own battles. 

Wanderer let out a bitter laugh. The memory does little to alleviate the tension in his “heart”, the twinge of misery that courses through his skin. That runs through his blood. It doesn't fully hinder the burn, it doesn’t prove to distract. 

I was never one to believe in fate, but I'd dare call our meeting destined. I’ve never been one to bow to the gods, but I find myself thanking them—begrudgingly—for bringing you into my life. You’re an infuriating thorn in my side, with the wit of a fool. But you’re my thorn, my beautifully vexing pain in the ass.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

He sighed, his lips twitching into a frown. It was tiring. It was almost ironic how he can write essays upon essays about various topics without breaking a sweat, but he can barely fill the page when it’s about you. Reaching to pick up the pen once more, he scribbled a few lines that would end his entry for today. 

Fate was a spider, weaving its web with cunning precision, drawing unsuspecting souls like us into its intricate design. Like two flies ensnared, we became entangled in the twisted, yet oddly rewarding, threads of destiny. The harder we fought, the more we intertwined, until I could no longer tell where your fate ended and mine began. But perhaps that wasn’t such a terrible thing. Perhaps that was the spider’s gift, not its trap. It threw me in the ocean of your love. I was dragged to the deepest depths, with no way of finding my way to the surface. I was expected to drown. And that’s what I did. I let myself be consumed by the waves of your tender touch and lose myself in the tides of your loving embrace.

[tasteleeknow]

FINDING YOUR INNER CHILD WITH SKZ

GENRE: fluff. fondness and affection galore. very self indulgent and comforting. WORD COUNT: 4.5k (500 each)

a/n: a little celebration of hitting 3k before the end of the year! i’m so grateful to everyone that reads my work, interacts with me and encourages me to keep trying. writing is really therapeutic to me and hearing other people can find comfort in my work makes me feel really warm. thank you!

CHAN — CLIMBING TREES

“Keeping going!” he calls out to you from below. He watches you as you wrap your arms around a thicker branch and squeeze your eyes shut. 

“I can’t, I’ll fall!” you shout back. 

You took early morning walks together often, whenever he’d had trouble sleeping and pulled an accidental all-nighter. You said it’d help wear him out a little, tucking him into bed when you got home with a kiss to his forehead. The tree climbing? This was new. You’d made an offhand comment about how nice it would be able to fly up over the treeline and see the sunset. He’d suggested climbing a tree and you’d scoffed like it was completely ridiculous. He’d quickly discovered you’d never even attempted it, not even as a child. 

“You won’t fall,” he encourages. “I’ll catch you if you do.” 

“Catch me?” you question, peeking an eye open. 

“Mm, I got you.” 

Your other eye opens and you look down at him, koala gripping to the branch. “Promise?” 

He smiles. “Yeah, baby. I promise.” 

He watches as you look up the tree then to your arms, an adorable look of determination crossing your face. Then you’re moving, pulling yourself up the thick branches as he moves around below you—making sure he’s under you the entire time. The first time you had shown you trusted him was months into your relationship. He knew it was difficult for you to trust someone completely. That’s why when you’d opened up to him about your lack of previous dating experience and how comfortable he made you, he’d written the moment down—making sure he’d remember it. 

“I can see it!” you shout suddenly, pulling him from his thoughts. “It’s so pretty! The sky is orange and pink!” He can just make out your face through the branches, your eyes bright with excitement. He smiles fondly, warmth blooming in his chest. 

“Yeah? Was it worth the climb?” 

“Come see!” you call. “You have to see it!” 

“Just get a good look for me, yeah? Describe it to me when you come down.” 

You pull your eyes from the sky, looking down at him again. “Come up, please?” 

“I promised I’d catch you. I can’t do that if I come up.” 

You’re quiet for a moment before pulling your hands from the branch you’re leaning against. Anxiety slams into his chest. “Hey! Don’t let go!” he calls. 

You make the shape of a camera with your fingers, pointing it out over the horizon and pretending to take a photo. Then you grip the branch again, beginning your slow descent. “Just taking a photo for you,” you say as you climb. 

When you reach the last branch he holds his arms open. “Jump,” he encourages. You don’t hesitate, trusting him to catch you.

MINHO — CAMPING

He’d insisted on spending his break over Christmas camping. He’d been fixated on the idea since you’d mentioned you’d never gone camping before. “Ever?!” he’d exclaimed, totally taken aback by your offhand comment. You’d laughed, pinching his cheeks between your fingers at his dramatic reaction. 

Now, here you are, your nose freezing off as you shuffle your camping chair as close to the fire as possible. It was completely ridiculous to be camping in this weather but your boyfriend had been so excited for so long, you couldn’t turn him down. He’d been rushing around the apartment all day yesterday, organising everything you’d need like you were planning a week away and not a weekend. 

He shuffles his chair closer to yours, reaching over to take your gloved hand in his. “You warm enough?” he asks, glasses falling down his nose a little. 

You reach over to push them up his nose, then pull his hat down his head a little more. “Mm,” you lie. “Are you?” 

He nods, taking your hand in his again and staring back into the fire. You smile as his eyes glaze over, zoning out again. You could handle a little cold. He’d put up with much more for your sake. It had taken months for you to open up to him, to let him in. He’d stuck around the whole time, patiently waiting for you to make the first move. Everyone around you kept reminding you of his feelings. It’s obvious, they’d say. You weren’t ready, you’d answer back. They didn’t understand the silent agreement between you. No one understood you like he did. You’d never forget his smile when you’d pulled him aside and asked him if he’d like to get dinner with you. “Finally,” he’d breathed.

The next time he snaps out of whatever he’s thinking about and checks in on you, you’re visibly shivering. He stands quickly, pushing his chair aside so he can kneel beside you. “Why didn’t you say you were cold?” he scolds, reaching up to cup your cheek in his gloved hand. 

“‘M not that cold,” you answer, unconvincingly. 

He frowns, standing and pulling you up with him. He practically shoves you into the tent. It was very different to how you imagined camping. He’d picked a place with large permanent tents, equipped with beds and electricity. Still, they weren’t much warmer than outside. Minho moves to the bed to plug in the electric heating pad and then darts back over to you. You stand still as he pulls your gloves from your fingers and then your hat. He struggles with the zip on your jacket in his rush to help you change. You’re quiet, shivering as he works. Just as he’s getting ready to personally pull your pyjamas over your head, you grab his arm. 

“I can do it.” 

He hesitates then hands you the flannel shirt before disappearing back outside. You listen to him shuffling around, packing things up and putting out the fire as you pull your pyjamas on quickly and shove your biggest sweater over your head. You dig out a pair of fluffy socks and pull them as far up your legs as you can as Minho re-enters the tent. 

“You should’ve said you were cold,” he grumbles again as he moves around you, shoving his hand under the blanket to check the heating pad before pulling his own clothes off. You climb into the bed, sighing a little at the warmth seeping into you from the warm mat beneath you. 

When your boyfriend joins you, he wraps his arms around you and pulls you into his chest. When you shiver again he drapes a leg over you, practically smothering you with his body. You chuckle, pulling his arm up to your face and burying your face in the soft fabric of his sweater. 

“Were you planning on freezing to death, hm? What did I ever do to you?” he mumbles. 

“You broke my favourite mug.” 

You imagine him rolling his eyes. “So you were going to freeze yourself in protest? Leave me all alone?” 

You snuggle back into him, his hard body cushioned by layers of fabric. “I’m warm now.” 

“Promise?” he asks, warm breath tickling your neck. 

“Mm,” you sigh. “I like this part of camping.”

CHANGBIN — HAIR BRUSHING

It starts with his hand simply resting on your shoulder. You were curled up on the couch, your head resting in his lap. You’d been struggling to sleep recently and he’d insisted on putting a movie on and staying up with you. You’d considered faking it, pretending to doze off so you could convince him to go to bed. He couldn’t afford to lose any sleep. But you were incredibly selfish, enjoying his comforting touch too much to give it up. 

You hum when his fingers move up to your head, brushing your hair away from your face gently and then playing with the strands at your temple. You imagine this is something like what your cat feels when he’s purring in your lap. His gentle fingers pause after a few minutes and you reach up to snatch his wrist as he pulls away. “Don’t stop,” you whisper. “Please.” 

He chuckles, fingers returning to your hair. “Does it feel nice?” 

“So nice,” you hum. It reminds you of how your mum had played with your hair when you were small. It wasn’t a regular occurrence but it stood out amongst your childhood memories. Amongst the comforting ones anyway. 

You indulge in the feeling of his fingers brushing through your hair for a few minutes more, eyelids feeling heavier and the movie fading into background noise. “My mum brushed my hair sometimes,” you murmur. “When I couldn’t sleep.” 

He drops his feet from where they are propped up on the coffee table. “Where’s your brush?” he asks. 

“You don’t have to do it,” you say, lifting your head from his lap to look up at him. “Just a memory I was thinking about, that’s all.” 

He lifts you from his lap so he can stand. Stubborn, as always. “It’s under the bathroom sink,” you instruct, offering him a small grateful smile.

When he returns you’re sitting on the floor, leaning back against the couch in preparation. He settles himself behind you, caging you in with his knees on either side of you. He lifts your hair, gently brushing any tangles from the ends before he begins brushing the entire length—bristles massaging your scalp with each stroke. You sigh, dropping your head back to rest against the couch cushion. It limits the areas he can work but you hardly care, letting him brush from your hairline back towards him. 

The movie is well and truly white noise now, all your attention on the gentle strokes your boyfriend makes and the fingers he’s begun brushing over your collarbones with his other hand. He taps a little as he goes, making a trail up your neck to your jaw. 

“Nice?” he whispers. 

All you can offer in this state is a slight blissful hum in return. His fingers move to your lips, brushing so lightly over your lips it tickles a little. Then he’s leaning down, legs jostling you just before his lips brush over yours. “Should we go to bed?” he whispers.

HYUNJIN — STARGAZING

“It’s kinda dark,” you say as your boyfriend pulls the huge bag he’d packed from the car. 

He shuts the car door then takes your hand in his. “Yes, that’s the point,” he says, a small puff of laughter leaving his lips. 

“Is it safe?” 

He gives you a small tug, encouraging you to follow him up the grassy slope. “It’s safe,” he assures you. “I used to come here all the time with my dad.” 

You were struggling to see the ground in front of you, amazed by how fast your boyfriend was moving despite the near pitch black darkness. “Yeah but… he’s big and scary.” 

Hyunjin laughs, finally coming to a stop on a flat patch of grass atop the small hill and dropping the large bag from his shoulder. “I can’t be scary?” he questions, pulling a large picnic rug from his bag and unfolding it. 

“No,” you answer easily, helping him lay the mat down onto the grass. You sit down quickly, kicking your shoes off to keep it clean. 

Something soft hits the side of your face just before your boyfriend joins you on the ground. You feel around, locating the pillow and placing it at the edge of the picnic rug so you can lie down. 

Your lips part as you look up. The sky… you were looking at it for the first time since stepping out of the car. You’d never seen so many stars in your life. You’d been driving for so long out of the city, it was clear now why. He’d clearly driven you far enough from the light pollution that a whole sea of stars that had been otherwise invisible to you were now shining bright. 

A blanket covers you suddenly and you pull it up to your chin just before your boyfriend drops back onto his own pillow beside you. You’re still quiet, eyes fixed on the glittering sky. 

“Pretty, right?” he says eventually, propping himself up on his elbow to look down at you. 

You wrap your arms around his neck, giving him no warning before you pull him down on top of you. He laughs as you hold him tightly, planting his hands on the mat to keep some of his body weight off you. “Thank you,” you whisper before pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. 

He rolls off you then snakes his arm under your head and pulls you up against his side so you can both look up at the stars. “I haven’t been here in years,” he says. 

“We should come here again.” 

He turns his head, lips brushing your hairline. “It’s not scary?” 

You drape your arm across his stomach, squeezing him slightly. “No,” you whisper. “Not with you.” 

“Oh, so I'm so unscary that I also just… repel anything else that might be?” 

“Mm,” you hum, smiling to yourself.

JISUNG — WATER FIGHTS

You pull the fan closer to the couch, making sure it’s directed at your face before falling back into the cushions with a groan. It was disgustingly hot, the hottest day of the year so far by a long way. It was a shame you and your boyfriend both had today off work and not the day before. It was too hot to do anything at all. 

“Baby! Come outside!” he calls through the open window. He’d been in the backyard for at least half an hour. Gardening, you assumed. Why he wanted to be outside in this weather, you had no idea. You were too hot to care. 

“Too hot,” you grumble, throwing your arm over your head. You imagine how you must look: like a Victorian maiden suffering from some vague illness. You huff out a laugh at the thought just as the backdoor swings open. 

Your boyfriend leans over you, a droplet of sweat rolling down his temple. “Come outside, please,” he asks, bottom lip pushed out into a pout. 

“Do you want me dead?” 

He grabs your hand, tugging at you. “Just come,” he whines. 

You groan. “Pull me up then.” 

He tugs properly, pulling you onto your feet and leading you outside. You rub at your eyes as he guides you and stumble over the step at the backdoor, relying on your boyfriend to keep you on your feet. He drops your hand once you’re steady, disappearing around the side of the house to leave you squinting in the bright sunlight. You watch a few dark clouds in the distance, hoping they were a sign of rain. Something hits your side then explodes at your feet. You yelp jumping onto the grass and looking up at your boyfriend. He’s holding a big metal bowl in his hand, the same one you used for your baking. Your eyes move to something colourful in his hand just as he pelts it at you. You duck your head, tucking it into your chest and shielding yourself with your arms. It bounces at your feet: a water balloon.  

You look up at him just as tosses another one. “Stop! It’s not fair if you hog them all!” you shout, moving towards him with your eyes pointed at the ground and one arm in front of you. 

He giggles, dodging your grasp as you reach for him. You watch him run across the yard, bowl full of water balloons tucked safely under his arm. You throw your head back, groaning. “It’s too hot to chase you,” you whine. 

“Check near the hose,” he calls. 

You turn to look down the side of the house, a bucket sitting next to the tangled garden hose. You trudge over to find it full of water balloons. No wonder he was out here so long, he’d filled and tied enough for you both. You pick up the bucket, resting it against your hip so you can dig balloons out with your other hand. When you reappear around the corner, a balloon narrowly misses your legs. 

You fish a big one out of the bucket and throw, laughing as it bursts directly onto his chest. 

He grins just as a rumble of thunder rolls across the sky. “You’re in for it now!” he yells. 

When you’re all out of balloons and the first droplets of rain fall from the sky he tackles you to the grass, hand cradling your head before it hits the ground. He hovers over you, hair sticking to his forehead.

“I haven’t had a water balloon fight since…I was 8 maybe,” you manage to get out between panting breaths. “I forgot they existed.” 

“Now we have to pick them all up,” he says, equally breathless. 

“I need to recharge first.” 

“Mm? You wanna just lie here for a bit?” 

“Kiss,” you prompt, lifting your head a little. 

He grins. “Oh, is that how you recharge?” 

You nod, wrapping your arms around him and pulling his lips to yours.

FELIX — THEME PARKS

“I’m not sure I can,” you mutter, looking up at the twists and turns of the towering rollercoaster. 

Your boyfriend places his hand on your back, rubbing gentle circles as he speaks. “You don’t have to. There’s other rides,” he says. 

“But this is my chance, I want to try at least once.” 

You’d only been to one other theme park in your life, when your grandparents had taken you as a child. You’d been too small to ride any of the rollercoasters then. Felix had seen the glint of regret in your eyes as you’d told him, deciding in that moment what you’d be doing that weekend. He watches you now, arms wrapped around your stomach in a defensive gesture. You were brave, he knew you’d refuse to give up until you’d worked up the courage. He hated seeing you afraid. 

“We can come back, anytime,” he says.

You suck in a deep breath then reach to take his hand. “No,” you say, determined. “Let’s go.” 

He lets you lead him to the queue, squeezing your hand periodically as you bounce your knee—a clear sign of your anxiety. He places his hand on your shoulder, directing your attention to him and away from the people boarding the ride at the front of the queue. “What do you want to do after?” he asks, offering you a small smile. 

“Um, I dunno. Whatever you want.” 

“Food? Are you hungry?” 

You shake your head, looking back to the front of the queue as the ride takes off. You’ll be on the next one. “Don’t have an appetite,” you answer.

“There’s fireworks later,” he says, attempting to get your attention again. It works. You snap your eyes to his, lighting up with excitement. He smiles, tugging you closer and wrapping his arms around you.

“Are there really?” 

He nods, struggling to keep the smile off his face at your wide eyed enthusiasm. “We can find a place right under them, so the ones that trickle down look like they’re coming right at us.” 

You jump a little in his arms, a small smile pulling your lips up at the corners. Then the ride attendant calls you forward. Your smile drops and he moves you aside so he can go first, settling into the seat and pulling the harness down over himself. He helps you pull yours down, taking your hand in his as soon as it’s free. “We don’t have to do it,” he reminds you, looking up to the ride attendant as he helps others into their seats. 

You shake your head. “It’ll be fine,” you say before looking to him for reassurance. “Right?” 

He squeezes your hand, smiling at you. “Of course it will. I’m right here.” 

You’re quiet until the top of the first slope, kicking your legs back and forth and keeping his hand grasped tightly in yours. Just before you tip over the edge you lean forward, making eye contact with him and offering him a bright smile. Then you’re both screaming, too focused on the dropping sensations in your stomachs and gripping the harnesses to check in with each other. 

When it’s over he reaches over to take your hand, your laughter evidence of your enjoyment. “Good?” he asks anyway, breathless from his own screaming. 

You squeeze his hand. “Let’s go again,” you exclaim, kicking your legs in excitement. 

He grins, taking in your blown out hair and bright smile. “Okay.”

SEUNGMIN — BIRTHDAY GIFTS

You were used to birthday’s passing without much fanfare. In fact, you preferred it that way at this point. It was your first birthday with your boyfriend and you hadn’t thought to say anything about it at all. That’s why, when you arrive home to find a large box with a big red bow on the top you pause—confused for a moment. Oh. Your birthday. 

You close the door gently and toe your shoes off, attempting to make as little noise as possible. Then the box moves. You snap your eyes to the large box, thinking perhaps you’d imagined it. It shakes again. 

“Seungmin!” you call, afraid to get any closer. 

He appears around the corner, looking like he’d just woken from sleep. Then, taking in your appearance at the door his eyes widen before dropping to the large box between you. He hurries towards you, wrapping you in a quick hug before pulling you closer to the present. “Happy birthday,” he says. 

“It moved.” 

His lips curve up. “That’s a good sign.”

“Why did you buy me a present?” 

He frowns. “Why wouldn’t I?” 

“Because it’s not a big deal. It’s just…the day I was born. I don’t need anything.” 

“It’s a big deal to me. I’m very grateful for it,” he says before sighing. “Now would you open the giant box?” 

You huff out a breath of laughter at his impatience. “Alright, alright.” 

You take a hesitant step closer and then gingerly pull the ribbon loose, letting it fall down the sides and onto the floor. Your boyfriend presses his hand to your back, encouraging you to continue. You lift the flaps quickly, snatching your hands back to your body before anything inside can bite them off. Something bounces around inside and you lean over to find a tiny puppy attempting to climb up the cardboard walls. 

You feel like the breath is knocked from your lungs, leaning down quickly to snatch the tiny thing into your arms. Your eyes water embarrassingly fast and you look back up to your boyfriend. “What the fuck is this?” you ask, failing to keep the emotion from your voice. 

“A dog.” 

You take a step closer to him so you can shove him with your shoulder just before you burst into tears. He laughs, wrapping his arms around you and the tiny puppy. “You said you never had any pets as a kid,” he mumbles into your hair. “Thought you might like one. Got him from the shelter.” 

“I love him,” you sob. 

“And me?” he questions, pulling back to direct your eyes to his. He has that smile on his face. The one he used when you fell on your ass and he had to pull you to your feet and check you weren’t damaged. Teasing, and fond. 

“And you.”

JEONGIN — VIDEO GAMES

He’d been trying to invent some excuse to invite you over for a year. More than a year now. He’d only managed brief interactions with you since you’d moved into the apartment next door. They were enough that he wanted to know you more. 

He sucks in a deep breath before knocking, preparing himself for the thing he’d been putting off so long. You swing the door open with no warning, much quicker than he’d anticipated. 

“Um, hi,” is what he offers in greeting. 

“Hi, Jeongin,” you answer, a friendly smile on your lips. Don’t stare at her lips, he self chastises—dropping his eyes to the box in his hand instead. 

“I was at my parents house this weekend,” he begins, shuffling on his feet a little. “I found this old console. Most of the games are mutli player and I thought…maybe you’d like to try them with me?” 

It wasn’t a strong excuse. He could’ve asked a friend. Why would he ask his pretty neighbour he’d hardly spoken to. Your eyes drop to the box in his hands. “What console?” you ask, no judgement evident in your voice. He tilts the box towards you so you can see its contents. You take a quick step towards him and dig your hands into the box, lifting the white console from the tangle of wires. “Oh my god,” you exclaim. “I had a Wii as a kid! I have no idea where mine ended up.” 

He can’t keep the smile off his face. Well, this was going better than he thought. “I’m not sure where most of the games are,” he says. “I have Wii Sports and Mario Kart.” 

—

You laugh as he swings the controller around, failing in blocking your attack and watching as the little animated version of him topples off the tower. You were playing a game where the controllers acted like little lightsabers, and you were much better at it than he was. He couldn’t really care less, not when you’re laughing like you are. 

You drop to the floor as the game ends, controller resting on your stomach as you lie on your back. He joins you. “Did you play this a lot?” he asks. “As a kid.” 

You prop yourself up on your elbows to answer him. “Mm, was my sister's favourite. I’ve had years of practice,” you grin. 

“So I was setting myself up by asking you to play with me.” 

You laugh. “Do you regret it?” 

He shakes his head. “Not at all.” 

“I feel a bit silly,” you say, dropping your eyes from his. Your hair drops over your eyes and he resists the urge to lean over and brush it off your face. First day you’ve spent time together properly, he reminds himself. 

“Silly?” he questions. 

“I’ve…been working up the courage to ask you over for a while. I just thought… you would have asked if you were interested. It’s so easy now I’m here, I just feel silly for putting it off for so long.” 

He sits up straighter, dropping the controller onto the ground. “You—I mean you…wanted to ask me?” 

You nod. He laughs, falling flat on his back before turning to look at you. You have a little wrinkle between your eyes where your brows are pulled together in confusion. He wants to know you well enough that he could reach up and smooth it out. “Would you like to stay for lunch?” he asks. 

You offer him another pretty smile and his heart thumps hard in his chest. “Sure. As long as we can play another game.” 

“As many as you want,” he answers.

please reblog and share your thoughts. caption, tags, replies, or ask box, i read it all. feedback is what motivates me to write more!

↳ masterlist

[writingforstraykids]

Letters Of Love - Hyunjin🖤

Pairing: Hyunjin x gn!Reader (poly!skz)

Word Count: 882

Summary: Your next message goes to Hyunjin - this time about a sunny day spent in a field of flowers.

Warnings/Tags: fluff

A/N: My bad, I was swamped with work yesterday, and I didn't have the energy to prepare the post😅I hope you guys enjoy it🖤

do not repost, translate, or plagiarize my works in any way here or on other platforms. ©️writingforstraykids 2024 -

Chan | Minho | Changbin | Jisung | Felix | Seungmin | Jeongin

You take a deep breath, your heart warming as you click on the next picture in your gallery. This one is a little different from the rest—so soft and dreamy that it almost looks like something out of a fairy tale. It’s from a day that still feels like a beautiful blur in your memory: a picnic with Hyunjin in the middle of a field of vibrant wildflowers.

In the photo, you’re sitting together on a plaid blanket spread out over the green grass, surrounded by an ocean of delicate blossoms. Hyunjin is facing the camera, his gaze slightly averted as he looks off into the distance with a peaceful smile. His long hair falls over his shoulders in loose waves, gently tousled by the breeze, catching the light of the afternoon sun. He’s leaning back on one hand, his other hand resting near yours as if he’d been just about to reach out. The flowers around him—poppies, daisies, and buttercups—seem to almost glow, their colors blending into a mesmerizing sea of red, white, and yellow. It’s as if he’s the prince of this floral kingdom, serene and perfectly at home in the midst of all that beauty.

You’re in the picture too, your eyes sparkling with joy and laughter. You’d been caught mid-laughter, looking at him like he was the only thing that mattered at that moment. There’s a basket beside you filled with fruits, sandwiches, and little pastries you’d baked together the night before. It’s all so peaceful, so soft, that you can practically feel the warm breeze and hear the distant hum of insects buzzing lazily around you.

That day had been one of those perfect, lazy afternoons that you never wanted to end. Hyunjin had suggested the idea out of the blue—his eyes lighting up as he mentioned a secluded flower field he’d stumbled across while out for a drive. He said it looked like something out of a painting, and you couldn’t resist the excitement in his voice. So, you’d packed up a picnic basket, grabbed a blanket, and headed out together.

When you arrived, the sight took your breath away. The field stretched out in all directions, a riot of colors dancing under the sun. You remember how Hyunjin’s face had softened as he looked around, his eyes wide and awed. Without a word, he’d reached out for your hand, tugging you gently into the middle of the flowers, spinning you around playfully until you were both laughing, the sound drifting up into the clear blue sky.

You’d spent hours there, eating, talking, and lying on your backs, watching the clouds drift by. At one point, he’d plucked a daisy and carefully tucked it behind your ear, his gaze soft and affectionate as he murmured that you looked like something straight out of a dream. Then he’d leaned in, his voice quiet but filled with that familiar poetic rhythm, sharing some verses he’d written just for you—words about love and beauty and the fleeting nature of moments like these.

You felt so close to him in that moment—like the whole world had disappeared, leaving just the two of you and the flowers swaying gently around you. He’d painted the scene perfectly with his words, each one lingering in your heart long after he’d stopped speaking.

With a smile, you select the picture and start typing your message, knowing Hyunjin will understand every sentiment behind each word.

Message to Hyunjin:

My prince,

I found this picture of us in the flower field, and I couldn’t help but remember how magical that day felt. It was like being in a world where everything was softer, brighter, and just… more beautiful because I was there with you. Watching you surrounded by all those flowers, seeing that peaceful smile on your face, I remember thinking, “This is where he belongs.”

That afternoon was perfect, wasn’t it? Just the two of us, no rush, no distractions. I loved the way you pointed out every little detail—the way the colors of the flowers shifted with the sunlight, or how you made up stories about each cloud that drifted by. I could listen to you talk like that forever, Jinnie. You have a way of making even the simplest things feel like art.

Thank you for sharing that side of you with me—for letting me see the world through your eyes, even if just for a little while. You make everything feel softer, more beautiful, just by being there.

Happy anniversary, my prince. Here’s to many more afternoons like that one, and to many more words whispered between us.

With all my love,

Your sunflower

As you send the message, you close your eyes for a moment, the memory of that flower field still vivid in your mind. You can almost feel Hyunjin’s hand reaching for yours, the warmth of his smile when he sees your message. He might blush a little, might hide his face in his hands because he’s so easily flustered, but you know he’ll treasure it, just like he treasures every moment you’ve shared. Because that’s who he is—your prince, forever finding beauty in the smallest of things and making you feel like the most precious part of his world.

Chan | Minho | Changbin | Jisung | Felix | Seungmin | Jeongin

MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES

Taglist (Please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist):

@zehina @jinnie-ret @atinyniki @galaxycatdrawz @silverstarburst @aaa-sia @lilmisssona @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @lixie-phoria @kibs-and-bits @xxstrayland @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @mellhwang @palindrome969 @theo4eve @harshaaaaa @rylea08 @heeyboooo @manuosorioh @gisaerlleri @andassortedkpop @lailac13 @bbokari711 @kazuuuaaa @rssamj @wolfyychan @stellasays45 @chrizzztopherbang @ionlyeverwantedtobeyourequal @silentreadersthings @myforevermelody143 @sapphirewaves @5starluvr @dis-trict9 @minh0scat

[babyhatesreality]

Two Sides of the Coin Part 2

Pairing: Daddy!Stucky x Little!F!Reader

GIF by angrythingstarlight

GIF by forchrisevans

Warnings: DDLG (SSC), f! reader, reader is named but name scarcely used, language, pet names, gentle discipline, both Bucky and Steve being secret menaces to each other, fluffity fluff fluff fluff.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN MEDIA CONSUMPTION. THIS STORY IS SFW- THE REST OF MY BLOG IS NOT NECESSARILY SO. MINORS DNI. I DO NOT CONSENT FOR MY WORK TO BE STOLEN, COPIED, OR TRANSLATED ONTO ANY OTHER SITE BUT MY OWN. Likes, comments and reblogs are deeply appreciated.

A/N- Part One here! Read under the cut for Part Two :D

The time had come. It was Bucky's team being called upon to go on their good will mission. He had packed his bag, carefully saved the drawing you made for him in his wallet (and brought scotch tape to hang it up in his hotel room), and had all his mission paperwork. But now was the most tricky part- ensuring your silence about your previous shenanigans.

"Okay Trouble," he said to you, bouncing you up and down on his knee to make sure he had your full attention. "Remember- you can't tell Papa what we REALLY got up to when he was gone, no matter what."

"No matter what!" you echoed happily. Bucky nodded, pleased, but he was straining his ears for sounds from the front door. He had sent Steve upstairs to his official office to retrieve a new piece of tactical gear for him, begging to spend some alone time with you before he left for three days. So what if he happened to take advantage of the situation and remind you to behave and not tell on him?

"You promise you won't tell him?"

"I promise!"

"Not even if he asks?"

"Nope."

"Even if he tries to trick you into telling him?"

"He won't do dat!"

"He might- Papa is sneaky."

"I won't tell!"

"Good girl."

"Will you bring me back a present if I don't tell?"

"Don't I always?"

"YAAAAY!!!!"

Bucky carried you in his arms to the launch pad, only handing you over to Steve when Fury barked at him to get his ass on the Quinjet. After a last long deep kiss with his husband and one more bear hug for both of you, Bucky and his team departed. You craned your neck upwards, watching the Quinjet disappear into the cloudy blue sky, Steve watching right along with you. The rest of the Avengers and the littles had gone back inside, but the two of you were quite content, enjoying the sunshine.

Finally, when the plane disappeared altogether, Steve looked at you with a grin. You grinned right back at him. "Let's do it!" you both said together.

See, what Bucky didn't realize was that Steve was fully aware that you two had gotten up to shenanigans- but you were still on your schedule, happy and thriving, and the apartment hadn't been burned down, so he was willing to let it all go. Provided that he got to have his own shenanigans with you too. Steve had quietly explained all this to you yesterday, which made it super easy for you truthfully tell Bucky today that you would keep quiet about your shared mischief. You were totally getting your cake and eating it too.

Steve tossed you onto his back like a koala while you giggled excitedly. You rode piggy back all the way down to the lobby, out the front doors, and down into the streets of New York. The two of you went EVERYWHERE. Steve was enamored with your excitement and wonder and joy- he couldn't get enough.

He took roughly 5000 photos of you running around the top of the Empire State building, just going from side to side, excitedly pointing out and squealing with joy upon identifying landmarks, including Avengers Tower. The two of you took silly selfies overlooking the New York skyline, which was even more fun for you because he was being just as silly as you were. You made a quick swing through the Build A Bear workshop next to the skyscraper- which delighted you to no end- and you got to pick up a new outfit for your furry friends back home.

You then went to Time Square, and you were gobsmacked by the giant screens with all the pretty pictures. Steve kept a tight grip on your legs so you wouldn't be tempted to slide off his back to try to run around, but you weren't even thinking that. It was so much more exciting to be as tall as you were, riding piggyback on your Papa, and getting to see everything from that perspective. He let you choose whatever shops caught your attention to go explore, and even though he would have bought you the world if you'd asked for it, you were just so happy to be looking at spending time with him that you didn't ask for a single thing.

You two went over to Grand Central Station, and he was thrilled to hear your gasp of wonder when you encountered the huge ceiling with all the constellations. You wanted to point out the couple you remembered from when you and Bucky were on the roof, but that would be telling and you weren't spoiling this arrangement for the world. This was way too much fun, letting your daddies be menaces to each other.

You two explored the market, the shops, and you stopped to listen to a lovely violinist who was playing the most beautiful music. It echoed around the stone walls and seemed to make everyone calmer and happier. Steve gave you a bill to drop in the nice lady's violin case, which you did with solemn joy. The farmer's market feel of the stalls was overwhelming- the smells were so unique and beautiful, you almost couldn't speak (a first for you). Papa quietly picked up a few items, and just gave you teasing answers when you asked what they were.

By then you were pretty worn out, so you went back home, and after a quick peanut butter and jelly lunch, you immediately fell asleep on Steve's chest as he cuddled you on the couch. He stayed just like that for your entire nap, just soaking in the moment of peace with one of the people that he loved most in the world.

Later on that evening, he revealed to you that the items he picked up at the Grand Central Station marketplace were for a dinner that the two of you could make together. He laughed as you screamed with joy and ran about 200 laps around the kitchen island in your excitement. You LOVED cooking with Papa. He, of course, handled all the things with knives and fire, but there was still plenty for you to do, including throwing the angel hair pasta noodles against the wall once they were done cooking. When the two of you sat down to your meal, you were so excited at having helped make dinner, that you gave your Papa the longest hug you possibly could, which he returned with relish.

Your next two days were like that as well- Papa taking you piggy back all around the city, playing and exploring and enjoying each other's company. You spent hours in Central Park, you played on the big lions at the library, and you ate the most delicious waffles in Bryant Park. You both didn't discuss it, but you didn't go to the Museum of Natural History or Coney Island. It didn't feel right going without Bucky, so neither one of you really wanted to. The two of you found plenty of shenanigans to get up to on your own.

When Bucky's team returned from yet another successful goodwill mission, you screamed joyfully and jumped into his arms, where he refused to let you go for the rest of the night. Bucky kissed Steve so hard, right on the launchpad in front of everyone, that Steve turned bright red, making you giggle to no end. You gave Bucky the rundown of your time with Steve, which was considerably easier this time around since you hadn't consumed nearly as much junk food. His whispered inquiries into your ear about you not telling on him were met with an approving squeeze and a new stuffie from the country he'd been in.

Once you finally wore out and dropped off to sleep, they lovingly tucked you into your bed with Jellybean. Bucky lingered in your doorway for a moment, watching you sleep happily, before smiling softly, switching on your night light, and pulling the door almost all the way shut. He went back to his and Steve's room, where he found Steve unpacking his duffle for him.

"You don't have to do that, Stevie," Bucky said, but his tone confirmed his appreciation of the gesture.

Steve shrugged and smiled. "I know." Bucky laughed, stepping behind his husband and wrapping his right arm around Steve's stomach.

"Is this trying to make up for whatever the two of you got up to these last three days?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't try to play coy with me, Rogers. I know that you two got up to mischief."

Steve simply turned in Bucky's arms, and after a solemn moment, gave him the biggest, cheesiest shrug and grin he possibly could. Bucky laughed out loud, then tumbled the two of them back onto their bed, and they gave each other the most loving homecoming ever.

A/N- Gotta love all those shenanigans :D Thank you for reading!

[pastelspoon31]

Chapter 2: What a nice neighbour! (Older!König x Younger!Reader)

tw: age gap (early 20s reader, AT LEAST mid-40s König), no sexy time in this one- just König being a creep :(

A/N: I love adding backstories for creepy König behaviour hehehe :3

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2| Chapter 3 | > Masterlist

The first time König saw you was much earlier. In fact, it was the first day you moved in that he spotted you. You were noticably much younger than him, and you carried a heavy cardboard box, a box you kept fidgeting with and adjusting, which kept you from seeing him.

"Billy! Quit playing with your phone and help me open the door- ah!" Your then boyfriend, Billy, had walked into you, as he was distracted by whatever he was doing on his phone, and he didn't seem to be sorry either. The box you'd been holding dropped, and the contents, including a few small glass items, fell onto the floor.

"Geez, babe! You really shouldn't be blocking the way like that!" He'd said, and you had apologized profusely. You began to pick up your things, but Billy had stepped on your hand, and he'd laughed as you'd yelped. "Oh shit, sorry babe." He would apologise but didn't help you clean up. You picked up the things you'd dropped and ran inside, embarrassed.

So you were 'one of those' young girls who were so desperate for love that they'd date a douchebag like that.

He'd been disgusted at the time, but the more he saw Billy treat you the way he did, and the more you tolerated his bullshit behavior- the less he cared about that.

Maybe it's good for you to learn the hard way, it'll be a good lesson for you.

...Or so König thought.

König received a small bag of cookies, hanging on his doorknob the next day. A small card illustrating a cute bunny holding a heart, was taped to the bag.

'Sorry for the noises yesterday :( I'm your newly moved in neighbour from unit 309! Please take these as an apology and a welcome gift <3 Sincerely, (Y/N)'

He took the gift and the card, and placed it inside his drawer.

It's a waste to throw out such a thoughtful gift, after all...

———

The secret photographs started not long after.

After retiring from his position in KorTac, König was left with a huge pension and plenty of free time. He didn't know what to do with himself most of the time.

His younger self had always wanted to indulge in his artistic side, and had taken an interest in photography.

Naturally, he bought a huge DSLR camera, and began to use it often, and not long after, he began to take photos of his new neighbour.

It wasn't his main intention at first, he was NOT a pervert!

But one day, as he was taking pictures of the birds flying in the orange sky from the balcony, he couldn't help but catch the sight of you in your private area from the corner of his eye.

The conjoined nature of your balcony and the lack of wall to divide the space between yours and his balcony made it almost too easy for him to admire you in your lack of clothing as you walked around in your tight little tanktop and panties.

He could easily step over the rail that was lower than his waist dividing your balcony space and his.

König spent a good half and hour watching you, and taking photos, and it didn't even occur to him that this was, in fact, creepy.

When you went back inside, and König was left to stare at the sliding door that was closed, his mind became clear again, and he felt guilt.

But not guilty enough to break into your house and take more pictures of you while you slept, of course.

Besides, it's not like he's touching you or anything~

[horseimagebarn]

horse standing in a field in front of a copse of trees and a beautiful partially cloudy sky extending its neck downward to eat from a deflated bag of purple feed a fence of thin wire separates it from the camera and though it may not be as interesting as some of the images on this account this image is in fact the first ever horseimagebarn post made in house as i myself took this photo yesterday when my girlfriend took me to a farm for our anniversary this horse was named chance she was a riding horse before being feral for a bit and then being rescued by the lovely people of the farm thank you chance for letting me view you and share you with the likes of this account

[superkitten-poison]

Richarlyson's apology letter to Forever

Richas wasn't wearing full armor (like Forever always tells him to) and almost died yesterday, so he wrote him an apology (translated):

"OK 0_0 Oh my god I'm so nervous, I'm gonna write it down in my book so it's easier :D

Before anything, pai [dad], yesterday I almost died a couple times, and after we talked, once more, it wasn't my day, huh? KKKKKK

After that, me, pai Felps, Pom and the tios talked in my room and Pom was so worried, I didn't really understand why...

After that (this sentence is gonna be kinda funny), tio Bad took me to the cemetery. I had already seen that place, with memorials for my siblings, I leave flowers for them everytime I pass by there and I wonder if they still watch me from above, like I said to pai Felps... with time I stopped believing, you know? 0_0

That the stars are there in the sky, at night, to protect me and cheer me on, it's been a long time since I haven't heard these things...

I miss those stories...

It's been a while since I'd been this scared of dying... I stay awake for so long... and for that I see a lot of things... and I get attached a lot as well... but if I can make it to the end, and leave this island, with my tios, my friends, my siblings, with my pais, with you pai, will I be safe? That scares me, that scares me so much that I always thought it'd be better that if something happens, something inevitable, that I enjoy myself until then, you know? That I face the danger head on, that I feel things, that I use my resources because that's what makes them so valuable, that I accompany who I love in their adventures, and that if I don't make it, I will have left a little bit of myself in everybody. And those memories stay in every block, every conversations, every plaque I left, every 'good night' I learn in a new language :D

I'm sorry I stopped listening to you pai, I don't want to distance myself... but the pressure of always being here, at every moment just being such a fragile presence that it scares anybody around me.. I have fun when we're silly, take some risks, I hate being the reason my little sister carries in her hands what she says is 'to survive', do what she can to help 'survive', when the times I most got to see her living was when we played with Dapper, when we went out me and her alone, had fun, swam in lava, drove a boat, took photos with no armor on and ate cake. But I also don't want to be the reason to see her cry, because I was seconds aways from leaving without saying goodbye.

I'm sorry pai, do you promise you forgive me?"

Screenshots of the original letter under the cut

[viesantewrites]

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐

William Killick (The Edge of Love) x Reader

Previous Part

summary: The reader finds a mysterious diary in a library that belonged to William Killick in the 1930s. When she writes something in it, her notes appear in the past (1937) which allows the two to communicate with each other and they eventually fall in love.

note: I was watching "The Lake House" from 2006 with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves and felt inspired by it. (& Also by Tom Riddle's diary in chamber of the secrets) I know that whole concept isn’t brand new but I enjoyed writing it. So welcome to my new cillian fanfic, hope you like it. I‘m not a native English speaker but I try my best.

William's part is set in 1937 and he lives in London. But he has a different job from the one in the film "The Edge of Love"

Masterlist

………………………………………………………………………….

YN slept poorly through the night as a fierce storm raged outside. Thunder rumbled and flashes of lightning repeatedly illuminated the dark room. YN tossed and turned, every sudden jolt making her flinch. The raindrops on the windows and the howling wind added to her discomfort, making sleep almost impossible.

Eventually, despite the storm, she drifted off and woke up in the morning incredibly exhausted. The sky was clear now, and the sun shone through the open curtains. Tired, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was glad it was Sunday and she had the day to herself. She remembered that she had to call Veronica urgently or she would be very angry with her. YN felt guilty that she had brushed off her best friend last evening. But then suddenly all the strange events of the previous day came back to her mind.

She slowly crawled out of bed and walked barefoot to her bedside table, reaching for the black notebook. Everything that had happened last night suddenly felt unreal, as if it had all been a dream. With trembling fingers she leafed through the book. It showed Killick's photo, his notes and diary entries, but when she reached the last page she stopped. Her own note was gone, and also Killick's reply and the brief conversation they had yesterday. Relieved, YN closed the book and sank into the chair beside her. It really had been a strange dream. Frankly, she was glad that incredibly weird and scary things she couldn't explain didn't actually happen. A diary that communicated with her? A young man from the 30s whose soul was trapped in a book? No, that couldn’t be real.

But she was still happy about the notebook because the diary entries were incredibly interesting and gave an insight into what life in London must have been like almost 90 years ago, even without magical powers. It would be perfect for her thesis.

YN yawned and grabbed her phone. She was going to ask Veronica if she wanted to meet her at her favourite café so they could plan the party together and enjoy their day. After all, she didn't have to worry about her thesis anymore. At least not today.

***

Confused, William looked at the blank pages in front of him. This couldn't be true. Where had the stranger's mysterious messages gone? Hadn't she claimed to be from the future last night?

He rubbed his temples as he sat down to breakfast at his small kitchen table and stirred his tea. His brain seemed to be working non-stop, giving him no rest. He flipped through the pages again, but where yesterday there had been his own writing and that of the stranger, today there was nothing but blank white paper. Did the notebook erase the messages at the start of a new day? What strange magic was this?

William's stomach growled quietly. Sighing, he got up and found a single piece of dry, hard bread in the basket on the kitchen counter. That should be enough for this morning, he didn't have any more, and bread was expensive.

He sat down at the table, took a bite of the bread, opened the diary again, grabbed his pen and began to write.

***

The day flew by for YN. She didn’t even think a second about the notebook, just enjoyed the day with Veronica. The weather was pleasantly warm for September, and it felt as if summer was making one last appearance before disappearing for months. Veronica had been busy planning her birthday party, from the guest list to the seating arrangements to the drinks, as she wanted the party to be perfect. YN liked seeing her so happy and invested in something, especially as Veronica was one of those people who could hardly get excited about anything.

In a good mood, YN returned to her small flat in the evening and lay down on the couch. Now it was time to relax and watch TV, but not for too long, she had to get up early tomorrow and didn't want to be too tired and unfocused at university. Maybe her best friend was right and she really was a nerd.

As she thought about university, Killick's notebook suddenly came back to her mind. She had decided this morning not to touch it, but for some reason YN just couldn't let it go. She felt guilty. It wasn't hers, after all, and perhaps it would be better if she returned it to the library tomorrow, after making notes and copies for her thesis.

Lost in thought, she finally got up, went into the bedroom, took it from the bedside table where she had left it this morning, leafed through it and suddenly flinched. This couldn't be happening, she must be dreaming again. What on earth was happening? Trembling, she dropped the book and pinched her arm as hard as she could. The pain shot through her body and she bit her lip in desperation. She was wide awake, she wasn't dreaming, and she could clearly see William's new note in his neat handwriting on the white paper. Right where there had been nothing but an empty page this morning. He had answered her again. With a pounding heart and bated breath, she began to read.

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒴𝒩,

ℐ'𝓂 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝓌𝑜 𝑜𝒻 𝓊𝓈, 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝑜𝓃 𝒹𝒾𝒻𝒻𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈, 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓂𝓊𝓃𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝓊𝓉 ℐ 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒸𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝒹𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓌𝑒 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓂𝒶𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑒. 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒢𝑜𝒹'𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓈 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒸𝓇𝑜𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓁 𝒸𝒾𝓇𝒸𝓊𝓂𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓈 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓁𝓎 𝒷𝑒 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒. 𝒮𝑜 ℐ 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝒻𝓊𝓇𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝑒𝓅𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜.

ℐ 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 ℐ 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉'𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒? 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒷𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒻𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒻𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈 ℐ’𝓋𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒸𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓂? 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎, ℐ 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹𝓃’𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝒶 𝒻𝓁𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 ℐ'𝓂 𝒶 𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝒻𝓇𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈.

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝓂𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓃𝑒𝓍𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈. 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝑜𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁 𝓈𝒾𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓈𝑒? ℐ'𝓂 𝒶𝒻𝓇𝒶𝒾𝒹 ℐ 𝒶𝓁𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓇, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℐ'𝓂 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 ℐ 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒾𝓉.

ℐ 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓀𝓈, 𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℐ 𝑒𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔. ℐ 𝑔𝓇𝑒𝓌 𝓊𝓅 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝓈𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓋𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝒲𝒶𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 ℒ𝑜𝓃𝒹𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 ℐ 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝟷𝟽. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓁𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊'𝓋𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎 𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈. ℐ 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝒶𝒸𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝑒𝓉, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹𝓈. 𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒹𝑜 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒹𝑜 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒? 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀, 𝑜𝓇 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓂𝒶𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈 𝒹𝑜 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂?

ℐ 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℐ 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝑒𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉,

𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓂

Tears began to well up in YN's eyes. Even though she still couldn't believe what was happening, this message had touched her deeply. He seemed so accessible, as if he had opened his heart a little to her. To her, a complete stranger from another time.

Almost automatically, YN's hands reached for the pen, and it began to scratch across the old, slightly yellowed paper. Small tears dripped onto the paper as she wrote, lost in her thoughts, only the sounds of London reaching her ears now and then to bring her back to the present. Her heart pounding, she lowered the pen and read her message once more before closing the book and falling asleep.

𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑚,

𝑇𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝘩𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡, 𝑤𝘩𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝘩𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝘩𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑟, 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙. 𝑀𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐, 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙, 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠. 𝐼 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝘩𝑦 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝘩𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑤𝘩𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝘩𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝘩𝑦 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝟸𝟸𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡.

𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐼 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒. 𝑃𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦. 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐼 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔.

𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝐼'𝑚 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝘩𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝘩𝑜'𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝘩𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑡𝘩𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔𝘩 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝘩𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝘩𝑜 𝘩𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝𝘩𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐴 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑔𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒. 𝑊𝘩𝑖𝑐𝘩 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝐼 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝘩𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐼 𝑠𝘩𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝐼 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤.

𝑀𝑦 𝘩𝑜𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠. 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜. 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑛. 𝐼 𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝘩𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓.

𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑠𝘩 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑤𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.

𝑅𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝐼 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐵𝑖𝑔 𝐵𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝘩𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔𝘩 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑛. 𝐼𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑧𝑦? 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝟾𝟶 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡, 𝑤𝑒 𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔.

𝐵𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠,

𝑌𝑁

***

The library was empty and quiet as YN slowly climbed the long staircase the next day, clutching William's diary to her chest. She was unsure if what she was about to do was the right thing. Her mind kept telling her that she had stolen the diary and should give it back, but her heart wanted to keep it so that she could continue to communicate with William. He had left her another little message this morning. He thanked her for her reply, told her about his day yesterday, his work as a carpenter in London, and how he had found a stray kitten in the street and was now taking care of it.

YN loved reading his messages. He wrote so vividly, as if you were really there and experiencing the events for yourself. He also seemed like a really good person, even in such difficult times.

YN sighed one last time as she looked down at the notebook in her hand, then approached the reception desk where the elderly librarian from last week turned to her with a smile.

"Hello, madam. There you are again. Looking for another book for your thesis?"

YN took a deep breath and shook her head. She could hardly bring herself to tell the lady what she wanted. She didn't want to return the book, she wanted to keep reading William's beautiful messages. But her mind forced her to.

"Are you okay?" the librarian asked, looking worried.

Finally, YN gathered her courage and handed her the old notebook.

"I wanted to return this. I found it in the old George Nordwood book. Somehow it got into my bag and I took it home. I'm sorry, really."

The older lady looked at the book in silence and accepted it.

YN felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She had decided to return it and would never read William's notes again. "It belonged to a man named William Killick. I don't know who he is or what he has to do with George Nordwood, but I suppose we'll never find out," she said.

The librarian remained silent, opened the book, ran her finger over William's photograph on the first page, then tilted her head slightly. "He's my grandfather. He told me you were coming. Since I was a little girl. I have no idea how he knew about you but he was right."

The words sent a shiver down YN's spine. How did he know that?

……………………………………………………………………………

thank you for reading! ❤️

(yes i know it’s damien and not william but i liked the picture :D)

tag list:

@freedomring1

you liked part 1, so i hope it’s okay that I‘m adding you to my taglist:

@tenderly-hopeful-collection

@jz12luvscl16 @jz12